Full Idea
As a rule the energy supplied by the higher emotions is limited. If the situation requires us to go beyond this limit we have to fall back on lower feelings (fear, covetousness, desire to beat the record, love of honours) which are richer in energy.
Gist of Idea
Higher emotions have less energy, and actions may need the lower emotions
Source
Simone Weil (Gravity and Grace [1942], 'Void')
Book Reference
Weil,Simone: 'Gravity and Grace', ed/tr. Crawford/De Ruhr [Routledge 1952], p.8
A Reaction
Presumably there is supposed to be a consensus about which emotions are 'higher'. If she means that most great achievements have rather dishonourable motives, then I don't think I agree. Sustained emotions do that.